With an undefeated record in the Greater MiddlesexC onference (GMC) White Division and a 10- 0 overall mark, the Sayreville High School boys tennis team is closing in on its third straight division championship.
The Bombers boast a deep lineup that has been consistent throughout the campaign, despite having four matches postponed because of inclement weather. Along the way Sayreville has posted victories over JFK, Piscataway and a 4-1 decision against Hunterdon Central.
Coach Mike Provenza’s team finished second in the GMC tournament last week behind South Brunswick, which competes in the Red Division and took four of the five “flights.”
Tanay Patel won the second singles flight to earn the first gold medal for Sayreville’s boys in the GMC. Amar Karki brought home the silver for the Bombers in third singles.
Sayreville has already qualified for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV tournament, which began May 13. Meanwhile, the coach said his team will have between 12-14 regular season matches left, depending on how many rainouts are rescheduled.
“Now that the county tournament is over, we have to make sure we get our focus back,” said Provenza, who noted that one of his team’s preseason goals was to win a third division crown. “We don’t want to look too far ahead, but we want to also stay strong heading into the state tournament,”
Focus certainly has not been an issue thus far for the Bombers, whose three singles players have lost just two matches between them. At first singles, freshman Matt Musyoka plays a strong all-around game and boasts a highpowered serve that has proven difficult for opponents to solve. His lone defeat came in the GMC tournament.
Patel, meanwhile, is a perfect 13-0 in the second spot, after posting 16 triumphs a year ago out of the top spot in the lineup. Karki, whose array of finesse shots keeps the opposition off-balance, is 11-1. Like Musyoka, Karki’s only loss came in the GMC tournament.
At doubles, the Bombers have been solid as well. Cocaptain Patrick Khaleel has teamed with Ravi Trivedi to go 9-1 at first doubles, while Nick Szamreta and sophomore Apoorv Kakar have the same record in the second doubles slot. Provenza is in the process of mixing up the doubles units. Khaleel will play with Szamreta, and Kakar will be paired with either Trivedi or John Kraivec, who has worked hard to get into the lineup.
Several other players have been impressive in limited action. Sophomore Ryan Zucker and freshman Ron Shah have looked good as doubles players, while freshman Shivam Dalal has a bright future at singles, the coach said.
In the meantime, the blue and gray was scheduled to put its perfect record on the line yesterday at East Brunswick before hosting New Brunswick on Friday afternoon. Next week will be a busy one with Monroe, JFK, Edison and South Plainfield on the Bombers schedule.
“Our guys want to stay undefeated, but they also want to be tested,” said Provenza, whose team will square off against Freehold Township later this month. “They realize the importance of putting it on the line and they know they’ll be tested in the state tournament by some very strong teams.”